Nearby words

Origin of pert

1200–50;Middle English, aphetic variant of apert < Old French < Latinapertus open (past participle of aperīre; see aperient); in Middle English and Old French, influenced by Old Frenchaspert < Latinexpertusexpert

pert

adj.

c.1300 (implied in pertly), "evident, unconcealed," shortened form of Middle English apert "open, frank," from Old French apert, from Latin apertus, past participle of aperire "to open" (see overt). Sense of "saucy, bold" first recorded late 14c. Less pejorative meaning "lively, brisk, in good spirits" (c.1500) survives in U.S. dialectal peart (with Middle English alternative spelling). Related: Pertness.